Gas-main stopper



P. GOODMAN @As MAIN sToPPER Filed ont. 26. 1926 /4 INVENTOR PHT/WOK GOODMAN ATroRNEYs May" 3 1927.

. wxTNEssrgs Patented May 3, 1927.

lilhllTED STATES PATRICK GOODMAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

GAS-MAIN STOPPER.

Application lcd October 26, 1926.

The present invention is an improvement on the gas-main stoppers forming the subject matter of United States Patent Number 940,458, granted to me November 16th,

i 1909; Patent Number 900,086, granted to me May 31st, 1910; and Patent No. 1,539,730, granted to me May 20th, 1.925. In said patu ents the assemblage comprises a collapsible traine having a diaphragm which is adapted to be passed through an opening' in the side ot the gas-main and then expanded in the main to cut otl'l the itloiv ol gas, said trame having handle bars to extend through the opening to the exterior and having means arranged to torce the handle bars in opposite directions to lock the stopper in place.

The general object ot the present invention is to strengthen the structure by I noviding bracing means between one ot the handle bars and theL collapsible frame.

Reference to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ot this specilication, it being understood that the drawings are merely illustrative ot one example 25 of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side view ot a gas-main stopper embodying my improvements, the stopper being shown locked in position in the main, and the main in longitudinal central vertical section;

Figure 2 is a vertical section substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an inner face view of the stopper when collapsed, showing the handlebars in section;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view in vertical section of the sleeve applied to one handle bar, the latter shown in side elevation.

The stopper proper in which the present improvements are embodied has a collapsible spring frame 10 covered by a yielding pacln ing and having a flexible diaphragm 11 which is stretched across the frame in circular form by exerting pressure on the frame at diametrically opposite points. At these points the frame is provided with pivotally connected telescoping members 12 and 12, bridging the diaphragm, and pivotally connected handle-bars 13 and 14, each bar being provided with suitable hand-grips 15 and 115. A. hook designated generally by the numeral 16 is provided, having a threaded shank extending through the handgrip 115 and provided with a tightening nut 17 and a set nut 18. The hooked end 19 ot the hook 16 is adapted to engage beneath a Serial No. 144,340.

vertically slotted lug 20 on a sleeve 21 fitted on the handle bar 14, said sleeve having a set screw 22. Depending from the sleeve 21 is a bracket 23 having a foot 24 at the lower end adapted to engage thegas-main at the opening formed therein for the insertion oi the stopper.

lith the described arrangement, when the sleeve l is positioned on the handle-bar 14 with the toot 24 engaging the gas main at the edge ot the opening, the hook 19 is engaged beneaththelug 20. lt is to be observed l'hat said lug` 20 is at the trout olf the sleeve 21 and the sleeve is so disposed as to position the said lug at the front ot handlebar 14. The said disposition ot the lng allows complete clearance for the i'novement of the handle-l.)ar, 13 relatively to the handle-bar 14 for exerting a torce against the trame 10 at the top to jamb the frame gastight in the main. 1n addition, the provision of the lug 20 at the iront of sleeve 21' and handle-bar 14 more effectively applies the force developed by turning the nut 17 forwardly on the hook 10 and it furthermore promotes convenience in the n'ianipulation of the several elements.

In order to strengthen the structure I provide on the outer telescoping memberA 12a a sleeve 25 and provide brace arms 26 pivotally connected to said sleeve 25 and to opu positie sides of collapsible frame 10` The brace 28 is pivoted at one end to sleeve 25 and at its opposite end is pivoted to a sleeve 27 freely slidable on handle-bar 14. I may also, as shown, provide a bar 29 extending upwardly from sleeve 27 along bar 14 through a slot- 31 in lug 20. Thus sleeve 27 may slide on bar 14 in the collapsing and distention of frame 10 and at all times the brace 28 will be in bracing relation to said bar 14 and said frame. The numeral 30 indicates a nut threaded on the bar 29 and adapted to bear against sleeve 23 to hold the brace members rigid.

I would .state in conclusion that while the illustrated example constitutes a practical embodiment of my invention, I do not limit i'nyselt strictly to the exact details herein illustrated, since, manifestly, the same can be considerably varied without departure trom the spirit ot the invention as delined in the appended claims.

Vhat I claim is:

l. A gas main stopper including an eX- pansible frame, means on the frame to effect material on said trame to ell'eet a closure of the main, teleseoping members connected with the trame at points diametriCallgY opposite a sleeve on one oi the teleseoping memlvers, arms pivotallv secured to said sleeve and to the trame a diametrically opposite peints, handled bars pivotally Connected `with the 'trame a! s bstantiall)v diametrieallv opposite points on the trame, a second sleeve adjustable along; one ol the handled bars and provided with means to engage a Ias main at an openingtherein, means to exert pressure on the other handled bar to look the stopper' in the main, means on said second sleeve engagaible by the means to exert pressure on said other handled bar, a third sleeve slidable on the same bar as the seeond sleeve and members pivotally secured to said third sleeve a d to said trame to constitute a brace.

Il. A gas-main stopper', handle bars pivotally connected at substantially7 diametrically opposite points with the stopper, a

sleeve adjustable along one of the handle bars and provided with mean-s to engage a main at an openingl therein, a second sleeve on the same bar with the lirst sleeve, and bracingl means connecting said second sleeve with said stopper.

A gas main stopper' including a trame, material on said trame to e'ect a closure oli the main, teleseopin` members connected with the iframe at points diametrieally opposite, a sleeve on one of the teleseoplng members, arms pivotally eonneeted to said sleeve and to the trame at diametrieally opposite points. handled bars pivotall)7 connected with the trame at substantially dia metrieally opposite points on the trame, a second sleeve adjustable along` one oi the handled bars and provided .with meansto engage a gas main at an opening` therein. means to exert pressure on the other handled bar to loch trie stopper in the main, means on said second sleeve engageable by the means to exert pressure on said other handled bar, a third sleeve slidable on the same bar as the second sleeve, members pivotallwr connected to said third sleeve and to said trame to constitute a brace, a rod extending upwardlyv from the third sleeve and a nut on said rod adapted to bear against said seeond sleeve. Y

PATRICK GOQDMAN. 

